Gilbert

Home to the Iron Range ATV/OHV Park & Site of Lake Ore-Be-Gone

Gilbert’s beginnings can be traced to a mining location which began around 1892 and evolved into the Village of Sparta. When the town was moved to clear the way for iron ore mining in 1908, it took the name of the nearest group of mines – Gilbert. Today, the mine is closed, but the City of Gilbert still remains, located on Highway 135, just minutes from Virginia.

Gilbert is home to Minnesota’s first designated state recreation area for off-highway vehicles and ATVs. The park features more than 1,200 acres of recreation trails, scramble areas, training and special events and facilities for use by off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and 4×4 jeeps and trucks.

The Sherwood Forest Campground has an ATV and motorcycle trail that leads directly to the ATV/OHV Recreation Area.  The campground, situated on Lake Ore-Be-Gone offers hookups, dump station, showers, indoor facilities, firewood, boat launch and swimming beach.

Summer events in Gilbert include a phenomenal July 3rd parade and street dance & the Sherwood Forest Days Festival, featuring two days of community activities and fishing contests.

To learn more about the area’s heritage and history, visit the Iron Range Historical Society in the former Gilbert City Hall building to view the historic jail and hundreds of artifacts.

For more information, please contact the City of Gilbert at:
Gilbert City Hall
16 Broadway St. S.
Gilbert, MN 55741
218-741-9443
website

Laurentian Chamber of Commerce
403 North First Street
Virginia, MN 55792
website